Fun Collared Lizard Facts For Kids
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Collared lizards are vibrant lizards with very interesting facts about to their name. The name 'collared lizard' comes from the lizard's wonderful coloration, which incorporates two very black bands across the neck and shoulders that appear like a collar. Males may be very colorful, with blue bodies, yellow stripes at the tail and back, and yellow-orange throats.
The females, however, are less vibrant. Both the males and females have large underbellies and big heads.
They have very strong and powerful hind legs, which makes them very fast. The males also tend to have a bigger body than the females. They exhibit sexual dimorphism.
These lizards are not venomous at all, but their bites can be very painful. Because of their vibrant colors, most people love to keep them as pets. They love to stay in rocky habitats with open forests. They eat crickets, grasshoppers, and other collared lizards as well!
Fun facts about the collared lizard include the fact that this lizard is called the mountain boomer in Oklahoma. Continue reading further for more such interesting facts. If you like these, you must also take a look at our frilled lizard and sand lizard facts.
Collared Lizard Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a collared lizard?
The collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a North American species of lizard from its own circle of relatives, Crotaphytidae, with large heads and effectively powerful jaws.
What class of animal do collared lizards belong to?
The collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), also known as the green eastern collared lizard, belongs to the Reptilia class of animals.
How many collared lizards are there in the world?
The exact population of the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is not known, but their numbers are steady and free from threat.
Where do collared lizards live?
The eastern collared lizards are found mainly in a dry habitat, in open areas of Mexico and the South, and the Central United States, which include Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
What is a collared lizard's habitat?
The eastern collared lizard is located in a variety of habitats such as desert scrub, sagebrush, and wasteland grasslands. They prefer rocky regions with open vegetation. These lizards often fall prey to birds, other lizards, and house cats.
Who do collared lizards live with?
Some prefer being together as pairs, whereas the others live in groups where one is male, living with up to three other females in an enclosure. Collared lizards can't stay with different species because of the variations in preferences.
How long do collared lizards live?
This lizard has an average lifespan of five to eight years.
How do they reproduce?
Breeding season is determined to be from April into July, with mating from April to June. Females usually mature in their first breeding season at approximately 2.75 in (70 mm) snout-vent length.
Females, two years old and older, produce clutches of eggs - nine eggs in the past due April or early May and seven eggs in the past due May or June.
A third clutch may also be produced in July from time to time.
Yearling females produce a minimum of one clutch of approximately five eggs and might, from time to time, produce a second clutch of a similar size. Except for severe northern populations, there seems to be little geographic variant inbreeding in the Eastern collared lizard from Northern Mexico.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the eastern collared lizard, which is also called the Mountain Boomer, is the Least Concern (ICUN Red List).
Collared Lizard Fun Facts
What does a collared lizard look like?
The collared lizard has a unique appearance because of the two black collars around its neck. Adult males have vibrant soft scales in tan, olive, yellow, brown, bluish, and green-yellow scales. Females are much less colorful than males. Both have whitish underbellies and huge heads.
The collared lizard is one of the few lizards that are capable of running with the use of only their hind legs. They also don't lose their tail very easily like most other lizards; however, the tail certainly does not grow back in the event that they do.
How cute are they?
They have colorful bodies and legs. They even have a shiny green neck and tail. They are so cute that they often are kept as pets.
How do they communicate?
Collared lizards stand up on their hind legs and inflate their throats once they spot a stranger to display their dominance over others. They also communicate using visuals and sounds.
How big are collared lizards?
The total length of the collared lizards is from 8-15 in (20-38 cm).
How fast can a collared lizard move?
The collared lizard is fast and has been clocked at 16 mph (26 kph). They are very speedy and have an impressive stride of up to three times their frame length. They solely run on their hind legs, which is another distinguishing feature. These lizards can run at high speeds because of their strong hind legs.
How much do collared lizards weigh?
The bodyweight of the lizard has not been studied yet.
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no different names for the males and females of this species.
What would you call a baby collared lizard?
The baby collared lizard is known as a baby lizard and has no particular name associated with it.
What do they eat?
Not only do these lizards consume bugs like grasshoppers and crickets, but they also consume different lizards, which includes a few other collared lizards. They eat whatever is smaller than their own body and sometimes indulge in cannibalism.
Are they friendly?
Collared lizards are commonly docile and smart lizards. Therefore, they are usually friendly. They can be competitive when it comes to other lizards, so optimum care must be taken to introduce cage pals slowly and with apprehension if you would like to keep them as your pet.
Would they make a good pet?
Collared lizards are attractive and curious creatures. They are also docile and easy to tame.
Did you know...
Want to know Great Basin collared lizard facts? This lizard is also endemic to the Western United States. It could be very much like the common collared lizard in its form and size of the body. However, it lacks intense extravagant colors all over its body.
The collared lizard cannot grow back its tail like most other lizards.
The females get red spots all over the body when they are carrying the eggs. As soon as they deliver the eggs, the red spots disappear.
Experts can tell how old a collared lizard is based on its body size.
Different types of collared lizard
The collared lizard is one of the nine species of lizards belonging to the lizard subfamily Crotaphytinae. It is located in hilly regions of the Central United States and northeastern Mexico westward to the Great Basin. The color and pattern of collared lizards vary, depending on the species, sex, age, and area of origin.
Can you own collared lizards?
You can own a collared lizard, but you have to take care of the environment you are putting it in. Make sure not to put it with other species as it can turn hostile in the presence of others. You can buy them from exotic pet shops for around $45-$50.
Western collared lizard skin facts are that these lizards do not mix well with other lizards and tend to fight them and become aggressive.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles, from our green sea turtle surprising facts and crested gecko fun facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable collared lizard coloring pages.
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Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
Divya RaghavBachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
With a diverse range of experience in finance, administration, and operations, Divya is a diligent worker known for her attention to detail. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed her Bachelor's in Commerce from Christ University and is now pursuing an MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore. Along with her professional pursuits, Divya has a passion for baking, dancing, and writing content. She is also an avid animal lover who dedicates her time to volunteering for animal welfare causes.
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